Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp & Pesto Pasta
Cajun shrimp pasta: master this flavorful and easy recipe in under 35 minutes. Perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh basil
- 1 cup baby arugula
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted nuts (pine nuts or walnuts recommended)
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, or nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound pasta (linguine or fettuccine recommended)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 1/2 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- To make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the basil, arugula, jalapeño, 1 clove of garlic, the toasted nuts, parmesan, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt. Pulse until a sauce forms, adding 1-2 tablespoons water if needed to thin.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain and add the pasta right back into the hot pot.
- Add the pesto and 1/2 cup coconut milk to the pasta, tossing to combine. Thin the pasta as desired with the reserved pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, make the shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, shrimp, 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, and a big pinch of pepper. Cook on both sides until seared, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Stir in the remaining 3 cloves of garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, stir in the 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- Toss the cooked shrimp with the pesto pasta. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For perfectly cooked shrimp, ensure they are pink and opaque but not rubbery; this usually takes only 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooked shrimp become tough.
- To store leftovers, refrigerate the cajun shrimp pasta in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture and prevent the pasta from drying out.
- For a gluten-free option, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. The sauce and shrimp are naturally gluten-free. You can also adjust the spice level of the jalapeño to your preference by removing more or less of the seeds and white pith. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- To store leftovers, refrigerate the cajun shrimp pasta in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture and prevent the pasta from drying out.
- For a gluten-free option, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. The sauce and shrimp are naturally gluten-free. You can also adjust the spice level of the jalapeño to your preference by removing more or less of the seeds and white pith. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.